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Songs of the Decade -Part 10 (Finale)

10. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun (2006) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qgum7hFXk&feature=related Why: Sometimes you hear music that makes you realize the limitless potential of musical ability. Because these two artists have no limits. They can make the acoustic guitar produce melodies which are unlike anything anyone else is producing. 9. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb_7C1vMpRQ Why: Possibly the best title song of an album of all time. It's about revenge, arson, regret and despair. Or it could be an allegory for the state of the world. 'Start as you mean to go on'. 8. The Walkmen - The Rat (2004) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDe_znFhP4c Why: Loud and super-fast. Lyrics that are half angry and half remorseful. A forceful hit of drums , bass and guitar played to a frenzy and dripping with raw emotion. 7. Keane - We Might As Well be Strangers (2004) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82n2b4Mk8Zc Why: Starts off softly and ...

The Definitive Reading List (part6) - Postmodern II

20. Haruki Murakami - The Wind-up Bird Chronicle -1995 - Japan 19. Vladmir Nabokov - Pale Fire - 1962 -USA 18. Flann O'Brien - At Swim-Two Birds - 1939 - Ireland 17. Harvey Pekar - American Splendor - 1976-2008 - USA 16. Franz Kafka - The Metamorphosis - 1915 - Austria-Hungary 15. Thomas Bernhard - The Loser - 1983 - Austria 14. Phillip K. Dick - The Man in The High Castle - 1962 -USA 13. Julian Barnes - Flaubert's Parrot - 1984 -England 12. Martin Amis - Time's Arrow - 1991 -England 11. David Foster Wallace - Infinite Jest -1996 -USA

The Definitive Reading List (part5) - Postmodern

10. Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnameable (The Trilogy) - Samuel Beckett - 1951-1953 - France 9. Labyrinths - Jorge Luis Borges -1962 - Argentina 8. American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis - 1991 - USA 7. Catch -22 - Joseph Heller- 1961 -USA 6. Naked Lunch - William S. Burroughs -1959 -USA 5. The Blind Assassin - Margret Atwood -2000 - Canada 4. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut - 1969 - USA 3. Gravity's Rainbow - Thomas Pynchon - 1973 -USA 2. If on a winter's a traveler - Italo Calvino - 1979 -Italy 1. Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safran Foer -2002- USA

Songs of the Decade -Part 9

20. Radiohead - Idioteque (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-fDKWGbRs Why: The entry into electronic beats. Unclear lyrics, possibly apocalyptic and dealing with war, climate change and technology uprising. Weird how it all falls together so perfectly. 19. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psbs_8kkWqg Why: Proof that you don't have to depart from simplicity to still have a good song. Same guitar riff through most of the song until the solo kicks in. But it's the (much-debated) drumming of Meg White that gives the song its impact. 18. Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - 2004 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-WDk7Tbsc&feature=related Why: A fantasy world where there are no parents and no adult problems in a town buried under the snow, with a tunnel connecting two people. The song builds slowly until all the instruments and voices enter into a sing-along which is both joyful and melancholy. 17. Outkast - B.O.B. (Bombs Ove...

Songs of the Decade -Part 8

30. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8m55NDHvPY Why: Usually synthpop is forgettable but every now and again an excellent track turns up. Karen O went from punk idol to glam superstar with this song. Put this on and you can feel the in tune with your adolescence again. 29. Coldplay - Fix You (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrceZxL8r8 Why: Chris Martin thinks it's 'probably the most important we've written'. A sentimental rock ballad which delivers words of encouragement while having sympathy for the downtrodden. Add in the sing-along and it's completely song for the people. 28. Kanye West - Jesus Walks (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYF7H_fpc-g&ob=av3n Why: Criticize the media for not embracing songs about faith during a massive hit song about the same topic, extensively played by the said media. You can't make that up. Be positive with the lyrics, but have an awesome beat to make it popular- that's the lesson. ...

Songs of the Decade -Part 7

40. Outkast - Ms. Jackson (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0v5nd1bJXM Why: Custody battle? Not the topic you'd expect for a number one hip-hop track. But it wasn't your normal hip-hop track either, (it sampled Richard Wagner). Outkast continued to clear their own spot in the hip-hop game 39. Seal - Love's Divine (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFLUNWndVg Why: The song is initially carried by piano and the haunting tones of Seal's voice. The percussion & synthesizers get involved halfway through to give serious energy. One that gives you goosebumps (or should anyway). 38. Coldplay - Yellow (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zpi-iSGFaY Why: The song that made Coldplay superstars. People take it to be a happy song, which itself is a testament to the ability of the band. Because it's about unrequited love but you still get brightness and hope from it. 37. Daft Punk - One More Time (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgtBlnOX6VA&ob=av2e Why: P...

Best Concert DVDs (21st Century)

As I'm already making decade lists, why not? It's music too, so somewhat related. Nothing's better than a good concert DVD, in my opinion. Watch some if you don't believe me. The performance and DVD release has to be from 2000 to count. 20. George Michael - Twenty Five -2006 - Various 19. Norah Jones - Live in New Orlean - 2003- New Orleans 18. Slayer - Still Reigning - 2004 -Augusta Civic Centre, Maine 17. Iron Maiden - Rock in Rio 2002 - Rock Rio Festival,Rio de Janeiro 16. Audioslave - Live in Cuba -2005 - Cuba 15. Foo Fighters - Live at Wembley Stadium - 2008 -Wembley Stadium, London 14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow -2004 - The Filmore, San Francisco 13. Arctic Monkeys - At the Apollo -2007 - Manchester Apollo, Manchester 12. Genesis - When in Rome - 2007 - Circo Massimo, Rome 11 Scorpions - Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 -2008 - Wacken Open Air, Wacken 10. The Police - Certifiable : Live in Buenos Aires - 2008 - River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires...